Guest: Taes Leavitt, Founder of Big Heart Journey
Episode Summary
School violence and aggressive behavior in schools have left many children and families feeling anxious and uncertain. In this episode of Strong Voices, Lena Pope CEO Dr. Ashley Barnes and Chief Engagement Officer Dr. Victoria Sendejo are joined by Taes Leavitt, founder of Big Heart Journey, to discuss how parents and caregivers can help children process fear, regulate emotions, and build resilience through connection and practical emotional tools.
Reports of school violence, aggressive behavior, and safety concerns can leave children carrying fear and anxiety that they don’t always know how to express.
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Together, they explore why children need more than reassurance when they’re anxious. They discuss practical, research-informed strategies for helping kids recognize emotions, develop emotional regulation skills, and feel safe enough to talk about what they’re experiencing.
In this episode of Strong Voices, Dr. Ashley Barnes and Dr. Victoria Sendejo welcome Taes Leavitt, founder of Big Heart Journey and an award-winning children’s educator and performer, for an honest conversation about helping children navigate difficult emotions.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or anyone who supports children, this episode offers simple, everyday practices that can help build stronger emotional connections and give children the confidence to face difficult situations.
In This Episode
- Why news about school violence can increase anxiety in children
- How children process fear differently depending on their age and development
- The importance of validating emotions instead of dismissing them
- Practical emotional regulation strategies families can use at home
- How routines and rituals create emotional safety
- Ways educators can build emotionally safe classrooms
- Why curiosity and connection are more effective than immediate problem-solving
- How early emotional skill-building helps prevent bigger challenges later
Key Takeaways
- Children need emotional safety before they can effectively learn or solve problems.
- Validating a child’s emotions helps build trust and resilience.
- Parents don’t need to have all the answers—they need to be present and available.
- Regular conversations about feelings help normalize emotional expression.
- Small daily routines can strengthen family connection and emotional regulation.
- Creating opportunities for children to safely express emotions can reduce emotional escalation.